Buzzin F1 – Formula One Blog

It has been announced today that the FIA are planning on creating a feeder series to Formula One and are inviting tenders. In a statement the FIA said,

“This Championship, called Formula Two, would be launched in 2009 and used as a an inexpensive platform to develop emerging driver talent for Formula One. It is hoped this can be achieved within a budget of €200,000 a car per season.”

They also announced,

“The FIA will enter into a wide-ranging consultation with the Formula One teams to examine plans for improved efficiency, including new technical regulations for the Championship. This will also involve a review of the governance of Formula One.”

The Formula Two was recognised from early on in the World Championship until it was replaced in by Formula 3000 in 1984, which inturn in 2004 became the GP2 series, formed by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore.

The GP2 series however, are well over the budget planned for the Formula Two cars already, in fact an estimated €1.5 million per car per season.

Another issue discussed was the suggested increase to the entry fees into Formula One to cover equipment and services. However, the suggestion that the revised fees for 2009, which are currently €309,000 could be doubled, although not without consulting the teams first.

The 2009 schedule for the Formula One Championship has been released and does include France as was reported, with the French Sports Federations (FFSA) president Nicholas Deschuax saying,

“I’ve anticipated the the decision of the FFSA General Assembly by confirming the entry of the French Grand Prix on the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar as of 28th June. Of course, the General Assembly, which will meet tomorrow, Thursday, will have to confirm this decision, and also determine the future of the French Grand Prix from 2010 onwards.”

Provisional 2009 calendar:

29 March      Australia
5 April       Malaysia
19 April      Bahrain
10 May        Spain
24 May        Monaco
7 June        Canada
21 June       Great Britain
28 June       France
12 July       Germany
26 July       Hungary
9 August      Turkey
23 August     Europe (Valencia)
6 September   Italy
13 September  Belgium
27 September  Singapore
11 October    Japan
18 October    China
1 November    Brazil
15 November   Abu Dhabi